Improving transition for Combined Honours students through a holistic engagement approach Colin Bryson, Alex Roper, Hannah Lyons, Stacey Duggan, Grace Cooper and Helen Thomas Combined Honours Newcastle University

Fostering student engagement The Australian evidence (FYE, McInnis, Krause, inter alia) The US evidence (NSSE, Pascarella & Terenzini, Tinto) My own evidence (Bryson, Hand, Hardy)

Conception of SE Engagement is a concept which encompasses the perceptions, expectations and experience of being a student and the construction of being a student in HE (Bryson and Hand, 2007).

To foster SE - aims Combat the alienating forces (Mann, 2001) Academic and social integration (Tinto, 1993) Belonging (Kember et al, 2001) Community (Wenger, 1999; Tinto, 2006; McInnis, 2005; Perry, 1997)

Key influences on engagement (Bryson & Hand) Student expectations and perceptions – match to the ‘personal project’ (Dubet) Balances between challenge and appropriate workload Degrees of choice, autonomy, risk, and opportunities for growth and enjoyment Trust relationships Communication and discourse The holistic approach – transition pedagogies (Kift)

Issues in this case – less than good experiences and perceptions Lack of support from staff No sense of belonging or identity Poor academic and social integration into subjects and degree Lowest NSS score!

The nature of degree An almost unique path through modules A non-shared curriculum experience But could not be done through the curriculum or classroom….

A slightly different approach Co-determination - Not just listening to the student voice but empowering – co-ownership of the agenda and the implementation Making linked interventions Evaluation and more interventions

Empowering the student voice Indirect – lots of feedback gathering Direct – new student presentation system Student led Wider student forums

Interventions Changes to the degree – minor and major Alternatives to personal tutor support Redesign of induction Building community – reinvigorated society, common room Peer mentor system – the flagship

Peer mentor scheme Students wanted a transition mentor scheme not peer assisted learning Recruited one mentor per ten first years Trained Had pre-induction advisory and socialising role Major roles in induction week and weekly meetings thereafter

Two different systems evolved Most mentors faded into background after week 1 of term – perceived they were not needed – 85% of mentees did not participate after induction week But 6 mentors had far higher impact – had 60-90% of mentees participating in one way or other The latter group took responsibility through ownership (became self-reinforcing)

Did it all work? Gathered lots of evaluation Mentor system a success – 80% of students drew on it Other interventions well received These approaches seen as exemplars by rest of the university ….BUT

Some limits… Full buy–in – 10% of the students Those that really get involved 10% of students participate 60% make use to some extent – and appreciate it more or less (but don’t feel part of a community) 20% at best indifferent or oblivious And involvement in some aspects – giving , social events etc remains problematic

So back to engagement Some students show engagement to the programme aspects – relationships and dialogue, even discourse Others are clearly engaged enough to be doing well enough in their studies and apparently enjoying their student experience ? – no communication channel

Questions to address (and consider your own context) 1.Where should the focus be for building the sense of belonging and community: University or subject or degree or more local? 2. Consider the model of student (rep) as partner – pro’s, con’s and limits?

More… 3.Is peer mentoring and support an alternative to personal tutoring and learning support (i.e. staff)? 4. Do we need to reach all the first year students or it enough just to offer opportunities?

And more 5.Which students should we prioritise in our fostering student engagement agenda? The disengaged – very challenging! The slightly engaged – big dividends The already engaged – most gratifying…